Gehyra voraxVoracious Dtella

Geographic Range

Gehyra vorax can be found on certain islands of the south Pacific Ocean. These islands include but are not limited to, Fiji, New Guinea, Tonga, and Vanuatu (Beckon,1999).

Habitat

Gehra vorax is found in tropical climates. It can sometimes be found in human habitations, especially buildings with suitable hiding places. These spaces are abundant in plaited bamboo, reed walls, or thatched roofs (Beckon,1999). Gehyra vorax can be found on larger trees, basking in the sun on the trunk, during the day. It relies on its cryptic coloring for protecion from its predators. It can also be found on the "crowns of coconuts and sago palms" (McCoy, 1980). Gehyra vorax have also been known to inhabit mangrove forests, woodland grasslands, and lowland forests (Alcala, 1986).

Physical Description

Characteristics of Gehyra vorax include its broadened toe pads and coarse granular scales. The pattern of scales on its back resembles a six-pointed star. Each large scale is surrounded by six small scales. Because it is nocturnal, Gehyra vorax has pupils which narrow to vertical slits in bright light, but expand in the dark.

The head is of moderate size and is slightly depressed. All digits are clawed, the fifth digit with a minute claw. Digits all "strongly dilated with an undivivded series of 11-18 lamellae under the median toes" (McCoy, 1980). The hindlimbs of Gehyra vorax have a distinct fold along their posterior edges. Its color is light or dark brown with irregular lighter and darker flecking over the dorsum, limbs, and tail. The venter of Gehyra vorax is cream to yellow, with bright yellow or orange on the underside of its tail (McCoy, 1980). If grasped, Gehyra vorax will shed pieces of its skin.

Reproduction

Like some other members of the family Gekkonidae, Gehyra vorax uses vocalizations when trying to find a mate or marking its territory. This species is oviparous, laying two eggs at a time. Gehyra vorax lays its eggs under loose bark, in tree hollows, or in the ceilings of houses (McCoy, 1980).

Behavior

Gehyra vorax is arboreal and secretive, but often lives near human habitations. This lizard was introduced to certain islands of the south Pacific Ocean by accident, due to human immigration and commerce. The species was apparently carried unknowingly aboard the sailing crafts of early Pacific settlers (Beckon 1999).

Food Habits

Gehyra vorax is a carnivore that eats insects, spiders, and smaller geckos (McCoy 1980).

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

At one time, Gehyra vorax was considered a source of food for people living on the smaller islands of the south Pacific Ocean.

Conservation Status

Conservation of this gecko is dependent upon the survival of its natural habitat. In past years it was hunted for food on smaller islands, but on larger islands a more profitable species was found (Beckon 1992).

Other Comments

Gehyra vorax was recently described, originally being referred to the species Gehyra oceania (Beckon, 1992).

Contributors

Elizabeth Holmes (author), Michigan State University, James Harding (editor), Michigan State University.

Glossary

Australian

Living in Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, New Guinea and associated islands.

World Map

native range

the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.

oriental

found in the oriental region of the world. In other words, India and southeast Asia.

World Map

scrub forest

scrub forests develop in areas that experience dry seasons.

tropical savanna and grassland

A terrestrial biome. Savannas are grasslands with scattered individual trees that do not form a closed canopy. Extensive savannas are found in parts of subtropical and tropical Africa and South America, and in Australia.

savanna

A grassland with scattered trees or scattered clumps of trees, a type of community intermediate between grassland and forest. See also Tropical savanna and grassland biome.

temperate grassland

A terrestrial biome found in temperate latitudes (>23.5° N or S latitude). Vegetation is made up mostly of grasses, the height and species diversity of which depend largely on the amount of moisture available. Fire and grazing are important in the long-term maintenance of grasslands.

References

Alcala, A. 1986. Amphibians and Reptiles. Guide to Philippine Flora and Fauna, 10: 58-59.

Beckon, W. 1992. The Giant Pacific Geckos of the Genus Gehyra: Morphological Variation, Distribution, and Biogeography. Copeia, 2: 443-460.

Beckon, W. "Reptiles of Fiji" (On-line). Accessed November 1, 1999 at http://ice.ucdavis.edu/~beckon/reptiles.htm.

McCoy, M. 1980. Reptiles of the Solomon Islands. WAU Ecology Institute.